Soon after its founding in 1915 in New
York City, the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, known simply as AMORC, found
itself in a variety of 'authenticity struggles' that would last until the
present day. Behind AMORC's growth and longevity, something many other
organizations have publicly and privately envied, was its claim to being
the only authentic, authorized Rosicrucian body operating in America.
This claim to being the only one and true Rosicrucian body attracted not
only disillusioned seekers from other organizations, but also attracted
new members who felt comfort and security in the idea of belonging to an
organization that had not only 'traditional' roots in antiquity, but
historical ones as well. Fancy charters from Europe, stories of ancient
initiations and the trials of seeking out the 'secret chiefs' or "Unknown
Superiors" of the Order's High Council in France added to the mystery and
the attraction. Yet, none of this would have been possible if it weren't
for the keen and brilliant mind of the organization’s founder, first Grand
Master, and ultimately Imperator (Emperor),
Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Born in Frenchtown, N.J. on November 25,
1883, Harvey Lewis developed the talents early in life that would serve him as
the single most important force in modern Rosicrucianism. Writing, painting,
public speaking, and a sense for the 'positive spin' helped him develop an
early and lucrative career in advertising. Then after a series of
experiences, he abandoned his career in search of the Rosicrucian Order in
Europe, allegedly going
to Toulouse, France,
[x] where his contacts were made. While much is debated about the degree and
genuineness of these contacts, it is clear that he believed that they were
genuine, and as such were the moving force behind his organization. After a
false start in 1909, AMORC finally got off the ground in 1915, and by 1917 had
several Grand Lodges established in the United States, along with other
smaller bodies, where members would receive the teachings and initiations in a
strictly oral format. However, Harvey's
love for the advertising world never left him, and he developed and promoted
AMORC like it was next best thing to sliced white bread. Adopting a Masonic
style lodge pattern and initiations from the 17th century Gold-and Rosy- Cross
(of twelve degrees, not ten), similar to that used by the Golden Dawn
(Neophyte, Zelator, Practicus, etc.),
[xi] he single handily mainstreamed esotericism and Rosicrucianism for the
American public. With emphasis on practicality, not abstract metaphysics or
obtuse rituals, AMORC's membership grew. But that was not all that sold AMORC,
for Harvey
and AMORC were one and the same. Harvey Lewis had a keenly developed psychic
sense, and was at the forefront of proving that what he was selling, the
teachings of AMORC, worked. To this end, he decided that it was time for the
'Big Show' and announced in 1916 that he was going to publicly transmute a
base metal into gold using alchemical means. An article describing the event
was written by Harvey Spencer Lewis, using a nom de plume, and appeared in the
organization’s magazine, "The American Rosae Crucis", in July of that year.
In summary, the article stated the following:

On Thursday night, June 22, 1916,
"a demonstration of the ancient art, or science, of transmutation" was given
to the officers and councilors of the Supreme Grand Lodge in New York City.
Stating that this was the first time that such a convocation was held in
America, and very well could be the last for some time to come, it was
permissible for each Grand Master to demonstrate once in their lifetime and
term of office the process of transmutation.

It further stated that all of the laws
necessary for such an accomplishment were clearly stated and explained in the
first four degrees of the Order. In preparation, fifteen members of the
Fourth degree drew at random a week earlier cards upon which were written the
ingredients each was to individually bring and that all of the ingredients
were non-toxic, with the exception of the nitric acid used to test the metal
at the end of the demonstration, and easily obtainable. Each was to pledge
secrecy and that they were not to unite with the others the total of the
ingredients on their own for at least three years after the death of the Grand
Master General, Harvey Spencer Lewis.

Dressed in regalia, but devoid of ritual, the procedure began
after a brief introduction on the history and theory of alchemy. In an
attempt at objectivity, the article stated that, "In order to meet the demand
for one outside and disinterested witness, a representative of the New
York World's
editorial department was invited."

The critical phase of the transmutation took
exactly 'sixteen minutes' and resulted in second and third degree burns to
Lewis' hands. Examinations were made on zinc placed in the crucible to show
that it was the matching half to the piece that was not used. The World's representative was
invited to examine the pieces as well, and to place his initial on them before
the operation began to insure that no slight of hand was involved. The
article further stated that half of the metal was sent to "the Supreme Council
of the Order in France along with an official report" as well as the
admonishment of the unnamed journalist that while the experiment was
fantastic, he is in no position to judge whether an actual change took place.
The transmuted piece of zinc and its unaffected matching half were left on
display and observed by "Newspapermen, editors and several scientists (who)
have examined them and gone away greatly perplexed."[xii]

Unfortunately, much of the information in
this article is hardly objective or even verifiable. While the article has
been reprinted several times, no photograph of the 'gold' produced, or replies
from the French Supreme Council, or even of the implied news article from the
New York World, have been
produced along with it. If this had been all there was to AMORC's modern
Rosicrucian alchemical legacy, it would have been written off as a failed
publicity stunt, and ended up as a footnote in the development of American
alchemy.

In the first part of the 1940's, AMORC's
librarian and later Dean of the Order's Rose+Croix University (RCU), Orval
Graves, proposed a series of classes on practical laboratory alchemy. In
those early classes, the techniques of Paracelsus were generally followed,
artificial stones were created, and students would often take turns staying up
throughout the night, to regulate the heart of the furnaces for the herbal
work. A great sense of harmony prevailed. Yet, not all of the results were
purely spiritual. According to Russell B. House, F.R.C., and (at the time of
his writing) member of AMORC's International Research Counsel, Frater Graves
produced for him, at their meeting in June of 1989, several artificial stones
alchemically manufactured during those early classes. Among the collection
was included a large artificial diamond grown by the late French Rosicrucian
alchemist F. Jollivet-Castelot. Castelot was among the leading practical
alchemists in Europe at the turn of the century. He was past President of the
Alchemical Society of France (Societe Alchemique de France) and editor of its journal, La Rose+Croix (The Rose+Cross).[xiv]
A photograph of Castelot in his laboratory has been repeatedly reproduced by AMORC
in the front of its Rosicrucian Manual
for its members.[xv]

Of those gems produced during the RCU days
of the '40's, one topaz was declared by a gemologist to be among the finest he
had ever seen. In addition, Dr. A. Whaley, a member of the RCU faculty at
that time, reproduced what was then current government research on the
manufacture of synthetic precious stones, including diamonds. Aside from
esoteric chemistry, the students of these classes also had a little help from
exoteric chemistry as well. The DuPont Company sent some samples of its
synthetic stones, and even revealed 'tricks of the trade'. The B&J Star
Company of San Francisco lent a hand, however, not all of its methods could be
reproduced, as the furnaces at RCU were not powerful enough.

During this time several articles appeared,
and since have been reprinted, in The
Rosicrucian Digest regarding alchemy. Several by Orval Graves
offer considerable insight into the purifying nature of fire and its esoteric
implications.[xvi]
Several from a Hungarian Rosicrucian, Victor Scherbak of Budapest, dealt
with the mythological origins of alchemy, its relationship to Atlantis,
Lemuria, and the creation stories in
Genesis.[xvii]

FOOTNOTES

[x]
Rosicrucian Questions and Answers with Complete History of the Rosicrucian
Order
by H.Spencer Lewis, F.R.C. Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC, San Jose,
California. 1984. P. 16 photograph, p. 178.

[xii] An article published in
the March 1926 edition of The Mystic Triangle
states: "When a demonstration of the transmutation process was made
officially by our Order in New York City a number of years ago, a piece of
zinc was so changed in its nature that it looked like gold and stood the
acid test of gold; in other words it would have served the same purpose as
gold. But the transmuted piece of metal did not weight the same as gold
would weigh, and therefore in that regard it was not gold& .is no reason for
us believe that all artificial or transmuted gold must have the same weight
as gold, which as impurities not existing in the other& .the& zinc weighed
less, apparently after it had been transmuted& than before." (p. 27) A
similar statement is made by Frater Albertus, in The Alchemist of the Rocky Mountains,
page 123. However, here the gold is lighter by a mere fraction of its
original weight, making it still almost three times heavier than zinc.

[xiii] A second kit was later offered,
without the oven and of lesser
quality in some respects. At some point in the 1980's this was
discontinued, and all that became available to members was a 22-page lecture
on basic water distillation techniques. The copy I have has no date or
copyright, and may date back to the original alchemy classes during the
1940's.

[xiv]
The Alchemists
by M. Caron and S. Hutin. Translated from French by Helen R. Lane. Grove
Press, Inc. New York, New York. 1961. P. 95.

[xv] An article appeared in the
August 1926 edition of The Mystic Triangle
describing the chemical recipe used by Castelot to artificially make gold.
However, at the end of his letter he states, "Undoubtedly, there was a loss
of gold in the experiment just as occurred in all my anterior attempts;
because we know that arsenic, antimony and tellurium carry away gold during
their fusion and volitilization." (p.130)

Mark Stavish
is a long-time student of esotericism and has written over a two-dozen
critically received articles, book reviews, and interviews on western
esoteric philosophy and practices. Email:
MrkStavish@aol.com. More information can be found at:
www.hermetic.com/stavish/ and voxhermes, at
www.yahoogroups.com. Due to its length, his
original article has been edited to include information about the
Rosicrucian Order, AMORC for this issue. The remainder of the article will
be published in a future issue of the Alchemy Journal.

"For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two
edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart."
- Hebrews 4:12 KJV

I have an image in my mind of Steve Martin doing his stand up routine
with the fake arrow on his head and playing his 5-string banjo. This is
a true picture of the Ace of Swords. I'm trying to have a creative life
in 5 minute intervals, raise a family, do work that I love and withstand
the constant bombardment of an unhappy world - it's a wonder the laundry
gets done. I feel like I have a sword stuck through my head and I don't
know if it is going to slice me apart like an executioner's sword or
hold me together like the toothpick that held together my club sandwich
at lunch today.

Sometimes it is a sword through the
head, other times it is your foot in your mouth - no matter your
circumstances - you are not a confused person, you are in a confusing
situation. The first lesson of discernment. The most subtle changes in
our perception of where and who we are in the world can create a
"Butterfly Effect" for our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. So
get out your fake arrows, do your best impression of Steve Martin - "We
are just wiiiiillld and crazy people!!!!" - and lets explore the concept
of discernment.

Historically the sword was viewed as a sacred ritual
object signifying bravery and power. The flaming sword of Bodhisattva
procured knowledge and freedom from desire while the sword of Vishnu
represented pure knowledge and the destruction of ignorance. A knight's
sword was two edged - one to strike down infidels, the other thieves and
murderers and the point represented obedience. Traditional Christianity
and chivalry viewed it as a "luminous tool for chivalrous tasks" with a
power that united spirit and matter - the binding of heaven and earth.

The Suit of Swords has the elemental
quality of Air and has associations with the astrological signs of
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. This brings complexity, complications,
aridity, detachment and over analysis to our table. Air represents our
spiritualization and is also viewed biblically in Genesis 1:2 and 8:1 as
the emanation of the breath of the Spirit of God and as the Sword of
Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. It can represent the wind in a more literal
sense as well as the sense of spirit. In Ezekiel 37:1-14 he is commanded
to invoke the life giving breath, wind or spirit of God. In Kabalistic
study it would relate to one of the Four Worlds. The Olam Yetsirah,
the Formative World of the mind, ideas and intellect is given the
elemental quality of Air.

The Ace of Swords is the sword of our
own personal power and in order to deal with the forces unleashed
through the journey of the swords, one must develop discernment and a
still centre for tranquility. This is the sword that converges the mind
and the intellect with the ability to see and express ones self clearly
and assertively. If you start to feel marginalized in any way,
reconsider where you think the centre is.

Our society is oriented on the
collection of experiences. We are perceived as successful if we have
"in" clothes, "the hot ticket", the best car, the biggest TV, a big
house - as if the whole point of life is to be the richest person in the
cemetery. Access to money allows you access to many experiences but not
to the true satisfactions of life. Are you a collector of experiences or
satisfactions? A satisfaction is a spiritual occurrence - like a moment
of feeling perfectly at one with the world or the sweet smell of a
baby's breath.

We perceive fear as a lack of or
absence of courage but courage is not the absence of fear, it is a
decision to not be held back by fear. Finding the strength and courage
to change your thinking or your situation is one issue, finding the
strength and courage to maintain the changes is another.

Anyone who has had an experience with
earthly justice knows that facts carry weight over the truth. The truth
has to find its own road. Earthly justice, although it manifests the
three properties of soul within its Constitution (understanding),
Enactments (will) and Precedents (memory), cannot discern if it wants to
be rehabilitative and restorative, or restitutive and retributive.
Spiritual justice wears no such blindfold and carries her own sword, the
Sword of Truth, Relinquishment, Redemption and Righteous Rage. What
should be, will be.

"For the Justice is in the honest expression of the Truth." -
David-Edward Butterfield

A more challenging issue
for discernment is the difference between a sex object and a sexual
objective. We have all heard jokes at one time or another regarding the
difference between love and lust. I may lust after George Clooney (sex
object) but he is not a part of my sexual objective - the reality
factor. It is, of course, a disappointment that George could not
realistically be my sexual objective but it is not a personal failure.
This is another area of discernment that should be given some personal
thought.

When it comes to dealing with people,
you should always expect to be disappointed. The only time it could be
perceived as a personal failure would be if you are unable to break a
pattern of being drawn to people for what they need, you forget to value
the gift of you and you make a bad bargain - then you are failing
yourself personally. Let the Ace of Swords return the word "No" to your
working vocabulary in an appropriate way. Who is saying "No" to you when
they should be saying "No" to other people and situations? Who are you
doing the same thing to?

We also tend to have a difficult time
discerning between our logical thinking and our rationalization. Do you
hate to lose more than you love to win? Do you hate to love? Do you love
to hate? Will you fight to win? If we are thinking logically then we see
both sides of any situation we are in and prepare for different
outcomes. If we are too subjective, we can't see the forest for the
trees and we rationalize one acceptable outcome. The problem occurs when
we don't get the only outcome we were prepared for - the choice is not
always ours. Feeling thwarted can lead to feelings of impotent rage -
another quality of the Ace of Swords is strong, powerful emotions both
good and bad. Our Guardian Angel just hit us in the head with a Sword to
make us scrape our shoes and move on.

“I
never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational
thinking.” - Albert Einstein

Don't waste time worrying about what
"they" - meaning the nameless, faceless many - might think about you.
"They" can think whatever "they" want to think - "they" have the freedom
of their thoughts. So do you, no one can take that away from you. The
Ace of Swords is a liberator. Just because we are discussing a cerebral
experience does not mean it is an illusion. A boundary doesn't have to
be a wall, walls can build bridges, passivity is not weakness, alone is
not lonely, psychic is not always spiritual, delays are not denials and
you can change your future but not your ultimate destiny.

"You can't control the wind but you can control the sails." - Author
Unknown

It is a subtle shift in thinking on
the journey to knowing ones true self. You have to discern between
subjectivity to your own situation and objectivity. How are you using
your personal power? What do you think you deserve to have happen in
your life? You have to take one step back and decide if your course of
action or reaction is constructive or destructive. There are very few
problems in life that we will face that other people haven't faced as
well. Very few things in life are absolute; there is a lot of gray area.
Are you looking for problems or solutions? Are you holding on too tight?
Are you running too loose? Are you confusing what you need with what you
want? Is everybody listening but nobody is hearing a word you are
saying? Do you repair or replace? Are you appeasing or are you strong
enough to bend? Carl Jung viewed the sword as "penetration in a precise
direction" and the desire to achieve a goal. At the end of desire, what
you need and what you want becomes the same thing.

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who
by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil."
- Hebrews 5:14 KJV

Seize the sword of your discernment
and use it to cut through, open and release the conflicts, confusions
and emotional machetes that challenge our journey through the Suit of
Swords. See yourself, your situation and the people around you clearly
and with balanced perception. See and speak your own truth. You will see
all sides of your situation with more clarity, detachment and greater
understanding of the other person’s viewpoints. This tunes your mind to
an almost painful level of acuity. Discernment is the key. You can
remove the fake arrow now.

Christopher Bache may be the world's first Cosmosopher. In his refreshing and
innovative book, Dark Night, Early Dawn: Steps Towards an Ecology of Mind,
he articulates transpersonal realms with a convincing intimacy, revealing a
universe that is alive, intelligent and directly accessible within ourselves.
The author has taken great care to share many of the entheogenic, meditative
and philosophical experiences he has had which assist in fore-lightening the
inevitable global/galactic revolution to come. The timing of his work could
not be better. One only need look at current sociopolitical urgencies to
appreciate Bache's efforts to move transpersonal psychology beyond its self
referential orbit into more effacing, collective trajectories. Dark Night,
Early Dawn offers a much needed alternative, encouraging us to explore a
connection to a cosmos which may require the very ego death of the human
species as a prerequisite for its realization.

In order to fully realize the transition, Bache suggests that we abandon what
remains of the Newtonian, mechanistic worldview, i.e., the threadbare 3-D
illusion that our consumer society depends upon for its own self-
perpetuation. He suggests that we assist, through such things as rebirthing,
holotropic breathing and meditation, in the realization/integration of
multi-dimensional world where spiritually advanced beings exist. These beings
can offer us compassion, wisdom and a kind of infinitely broad, celestial
panorama which encourages us to adopt a more life affirming perspective on
what appears to be a severely limited human future at present. Nemeses
abound however at current time, dedicated to making sure that such a marvelous
realization as described above will not take place. Paranormal debunkers such
as Paul Edwards are devoted to discrediting the claims of those who believe in
rebirth, for example. Edwards insists that the last two thousand years of
philosophical development with its emphasis on linearity and so-called
'rationality' is the end all, be all of human intelligence. Bache makes sure
to point out the weakness of Edwards's argument and does so quite
convincingly. He observes: 'If reincarnation can be proven to be true, then
the modern Western philosophical paradigm will crumble because rebirth
contradicts the core assumptions of that world view.' Such a remark enables
one to perceive the unconscious fears which motivate people like Edwards, not
to mention Martin Gardner and the CSICOPS cadre as well, who may very well be
threatened by how integrated multi-dimensional awareness is becoming. Just
imagine the CSICOPPERS all doing holotropic breathing and what kind of
resistances within themselves they would have to deal with!

Fortunately, Dark Night, Early Dawn does not dwell on the 'infallible'
3-D consensus delusion and the organizations that continue to promote it. The
author shows a balanced approach to transpersonal work and offers the reader
an effective way to traverse a living, intelligent cosmos and come back home
not only intact but spiritually integrated in a deep and lasting way. Citing
the works of Stanislav Grof, Ken Wilber and Robert Monroe, as well as
visionary mystics such as Teresa of Avila, Bache offers us a useful as well as
fascinating means to explore the worlds these people describe so vividly. The
author also shares his own inner experiences in which he himself connected
with these spiritually evolved worlds:

"The time of rebuilding was suffused with an inner luminosity that signaled a
profound awakening in the human heart. It was not the overwhelming brilliance
of diamond luminosity that shines forth from individual awakening, but a
softer luminosity that reflected the same reality but more gently present and
more evenly distributed throughout the entire species. The whole of humanity
was going to go through the death/rebirth experience, and the substance of
awakening for the group was the same as for the individual, though realized
more slowly and in smaller increments."

With insights such as described above, it is apparent the Bache has prepared
himself sufficiently enough not only to share this kind of profound
information with us but to inspire us to safely explore these transpersonal
worlds as well. I found his as well as his students' journal entries to be
most revealing and informative.

Sri Aurobindo once observed: “At present mankind is undergoing an evolutionary
crisis in which is concealed a choice of its destiny." Books like Dark
Night, Early Dawn will assist us in not only seeing the choices at hand
beneath the surface of our culminating crisis but also how we can influence
whatever destiny we collectively and perhaps competently choose for ourselves
as a result.

Firedance
Festival.

Santa Cruz,
California. August 7-10, 2003

The Firedance
Festival is an alchemical event of personal transformation involving a
community that joins together to celebrate and explore the beauty and
mystery of life and self through co-created rituals of drumming, dancing and
singing around a sacred fire at night until the rising of the sun -- and
through performances, playshops, and other rituals during the day. It takes
place in the Santa Cruz mountains in northern California from Thursday,
August 7, through Sunday, August 10, 2003. Dennis William Hauck will be
presenting an Integrative Playshop on Alchemy at 11:00 AM on Friday, August
8. For more information, visit their
website at www.Firedance.org .

This year's Crucible
event led by Dennis William Hauck relocates to a beautiful new setting that offers a more tranquil
atmosphere for the advanced techniques that will be taught in the workshop. The
all-day event will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2003, at the Sierra 2
Center in Sacramento. Located on three acres of lush landscaping, the center is
within easy reach of downtown and within walking distance of several
restaurants, bookstores, and coffee houses. Next to Sierra Green park in the
Curtis Park section of Sacramento, the center is known for its tranquil and
inspiring setting. The workshop takes place in the large and airy Green Room and
adjacent Meditation Courtyard, which features dozens of blooming flowers and
trees, lovely landscaped lighting, and a serene waterfall. This year's
experiential, multimedia event features powerful demonstrations of both
spiritual and practical techniques in alchemy and will include live experiments
and actual meditations used by the alchemists.
There will also be refreshments, a light lunch, and a vendor area offering rare books, recent titles, prints, tinctures, essential oils, videos, audio tapes, and many more unique
products. Private consultations will be available on Sunday, October 12.

Because of the individual work during this
seminar, space is limited to 40 participants. Please register early! Tuition is $79 per person (discounts
are available for multiple
registrations).Register for
Crucible 2003 Now!Click here for More
Information.

First, I must apologize for not being able to put out the Spring issue of
the Alchemy Journal. As many of you know, I have been traveling
extensively doing research on Egyptian alchemy and working with the
Alchemy Guild on projects for 2004 and beyond. I have also just finished
my next book, Sorcerer's Stone: A Beginner's Guide to Alchemy
(Citadel Press 2004). Unfortunately, my research and personal projects
will require me to be on the road extensively for the next year or more.
Accordingly, with my being on the road, I plan to do more workshops in the
United States and will be living in Europe for at least part of the year.
You may contact me in Europe in care of the
Alchemy Guild. I will still be working actively
with all my students and hopefully will get to meet with more of them by
traveling more.

Another reason for my traveling more is to continue my personal work, that
is, the alchemical work within me. One of the first tenets of alchemical
initiation is that you must experience the ancient truths firsthand. One
might understand these principles by reading about them, but they must
come "alive" for them to be alchemical.
Sometimes this energy or "light of illumination" happens in the inspired presence of your
teachers or friends who are on the same path, and sometimes it happens in the inspired space of your own
private meditations. This inspired presence or space is a very real
thing in alchemy. In fact, let me make this very clear: it is an actual
substance. Call it First Matter, Life Force, or chi, it is real
and can be accumulated and manipulated in the Hermetic Incubator, the
Human Holy of Holies, where
divine energy and wisdom pour down from Above. This is Mercury Space, the
sacred realm of Thoth, where the Hermetic pattern is most obvious. If you
cannot access this space, if you cannot purify your own environment
(physically, mentally, and spiritually) to make the sacred space manifest,
then you cannot finish your alchemical initiation. The Great Work is never just
in the head, but in the real world, as well as it is in the heart and body.
For my own inner work to proceed, I must regularly leave my office
environment, unplug the word processor, and seek to accumulate more of
this real yet invisible substance to understand it. I believe the time is
coming when this living "stuff" will be the most important thing to
everyone, even the most blatantly materialistic among us. But to access
this magical material, the universe demands that we abandon ourselves
socially to live on the edge, to slice open reality right down the middle,
and follow our innate Intelligence of the Heart wherever it leads us.

At this time in my life, I am reminded of the words of the
16th-century alchemist, Simon Forman, when asked to give advice to those
interested in pursuing the Great Work. "Crave wisdom of God, the sense to
understand," he warned, "or else meddle not herewith, nor take it in hand.
For it will cost thee much worldly wealth and position. But trust no others, and do it
yourself. Learn therefore, first to cleanse, purify and sublime; to
dissolve, congeal, and distill; and sometimes to conjoin and separate, and
how to do it all -- so that when you think to rise, you do not fall. Trust
only yourself and no other. I can say no more to you if you were my
brother."

I will use these pages as a continuing saga of my journeys and lessons,
and to make sure I stay connected to the very special people who read the
Alchemy Journal. Fortuitously, to insure the continued and regular
publication of the Alchemy Journal, I am very happy to announce
that Duane Saari has volunteered to take over the duties of editor. I will
still be very active in the journal with updates, articles, and guest
editorials, but Duane will handle all the duties of editor. He brings a
wealth of expertise to this position. As an online instructor for the
Empire State College of the University of New York, Duane is familiar with web publishing and editing.
As a student of alchemy and social shamanism, he is an inspiring and wise
teacher for anyone interested in Hermetics and the path of personal
alchemy. I most heartily welcome his input and assistance!

Mahatma
Gandhi’s words: “My life is my message and my message is my life” have
resonated with me since reading them for the first time many years ago.
It is with this perspective and a sense of excitement that I accept the
responsibility of being the editor of the Alchemy Journal. It is
another opportunity to live alchemy.

This is a
time when alchemy and other ancient knowledge from the underground stream of
hermetic teachings are resurfacing. This resurgence is due in part to the
cyclical movement of nature. At the same time, in a world of unprecedented
change and the dissolution of many structures, we seek out the core ground or
essence of our lives to create a new foundation. The truths contained in the
knowledge and practice of alchemy are key components of this essence. I see
the Alchemy Journal as a vehicle that can make this knowledge more
accessible and available. I also see the Journal as a spring in a
shaded glen bringing water from an underground stream to the surface for weary
travelers. Read on; you will find it refreshing and invigorating.

Included
in this issue are three articles that show the influence and
interconnectedness of alchemical concepts. In “The History of Alchemy in
America Part 2”, Mark Stavish continues the story of the individuals who
practiced and promoted the Great Work in the United States. The end of his
story will be told in a future issue later this year. Poetry by Rachel Lane,
“The Pelican”, reminds us of the sacrifice and commitment necessary not only
for the Work but the relationships that lie at the heart of it. From another
part of the underground stream come insights from the Tarot. Cheryl Lynne
Bradley presents some of the significant themes associated with one of the
cards in “The Ace of Swords: Seizing the Power of Discernment”. Many of us
involved in alchemy can appreciate the role of discernment in our lives and
will recognize the correspondence between these two Arts.

If you
have read this far, you have heard a lot of what I had to say. I know I speak
for Dennis when I say we at the Alchemy Journal want to hear what you
have to say as well. You can do this by sending a message to
editor@achemylab.com and commenting on the contents of this issue, what
you like about the Journal and what you would like to see included. As
editor, I am particularly interested in your response to one of the following
questions or both as your Spirit moves you: What would you like to know about
alchemy? What would you like others to know?

Behind AMORC's growth and longevity, something many other
organizations have publicly and privately envied, was its claim to being
the only authentic, authorized Rosicrucian body operating in America.
This claim to being the only one and true Rosicrucian body attracted not
only disillusioned seekers from other organizations, but also attracted
new members who felt comfort and security in the idea of belonging to an
organization that had not only 'traditional' roots in antiquity, but
historical ones as well.

In the first part of the 1940's, AMORC's
librarian and later Dean of the Order's Rose+Croix University (RCU), Orval
Graves, proposed a series of classes on practical laboratory alchemy.
In those early classes, the techniques of Paracelsus were generally
followed, artificial stones were created, and students would often take
turns staying up throughout the night, to regulate the heart of the
furnaces for the herbal work. A great sense of harmony prevailed.

Historically the sword was viewed as a sacred ritual
object signifying bravery and power. The flaming sword of Bodhisattva
procured knowledge and freedom from desire while the sword of Vishnu
represented pure knowledge and the destruction of ignorance. A knight's
sword was two edged - one to strike down infidels, the other thieves and
murderers and the point represented obedience. Traditional Christianity
and chivalry viewed it as a "luminous tool for chivalrous tasks" with a
power that united spirit and matter - the binding of heaven and earth.

One only
need look at current sociopolitical urgencies to appreciate Bache's
efforts to move transpersonal psychology beyond its self referential
orbit into more effacing, collective trajectories. Dark Night,
Early Dawn offers a much needed alternative, encouraging us to explore a
connection to a cosmos which may require the very ego death of the human
species as a prerequisite for its realization.

This year's Crucible
event led by Dennis William Hauck relocates to a beautiful new setting
that offers a more tranquil atmosphere for the advanced techniques that
will be taught in the workshop.